Change is on the way | Guest column
I’m running for Mayor of Woodland Park. I was a Woodland Park planning commissioner for five years, and also attended many city council meetings. It soon became obvious that the citizens had little influence in city council decisions.
My vision of the future of Woodland Park is a city council that makes decisions, with strong consideration for the vision of the citizens.
My vision includes sustainable clean water that will match our future growth despite an increasingly arid climate.
My vision includes a robust emergency fund capable of supporting the City’s diverse needs.
My vision includes land use decisions that fit within what our current zoning code allows.
My vision includes a City Leadership that strongly considers the Citizens guidance via our Envision Woodland Park 2030, Comprehensive Plan.
Visualize with me, our city changed into one where City Leadership prioritizes the needs and concerns of the Citizens over Special Interests. This vision is at the heart of my campaign platform.
My Platform
Citizens Focused Government
Be the People’s Advocate
Give the Citizens a stronger platform for influencing City Council decisions
When making decisions, defer to the Citizens instead of Special Interests
Be accountable to the Citizens
Encourage Citizens input at all levels of our City Business
Water Sustainability
Smart Growth
Stay within current Zoning Density when making land use decisions
Add water considerations to land use (development) criteria
Fiscal Responsibility
Keep the unrestricted fund balance strong
Execute major capital improvement projects with as little debt as possible
Focus City Council financial decisions on what’s important to the Citizens
Zoning Compliance
Assure all decisions comply with our Zoning Code
Manage City Growth around our Zoning Code and Infrastructure limitations
Land use should be regulated on the basis of the impacts on the City and adjacent and adjoining property owners
Envision Woodland Park 2030, Comprehensive Plan
Use this Citizen’s guidance when making decisions; the collective vision of hundreds of diverse Citizens
The Comprehensive Plan should help shape Our City for the future, rather than shape the future via the vision of Special Interests.
My Abbreviated Bio
No Ties to any Special Interest Groups
Retired with over 10 years in private industry and 35 years with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Worked in many US locations, in Europe for 10 years, in Japan, Korea, the Republic of Panama, Puerto Rico and Saudi Arabia
Led a group of Citizens to put the Woodland Park Citizens Short-Term Rental Ordinance into law
Supervised over 500 people from over 40 nations, successfully executing military construction programs
Was always a major part of developing and executing internal operating budgets up to $50 Million dollars
I started as a Blue Collar Construction Worker and rose to successfully execute a $25 Billion dollar US Military Construction Program plus hundreds of millions of dollars of environmental and non-Military work.
Vote Jerry Penland for Mayor on April 2nd
Jerry Penland.
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